Sportsways addresses and dates, Sea-Vue gauges

[duckbill]

I have two Sea-Vue SPGs made by Sportsways. One sports a Huntington Park, CA address, whereas the other says Los Angeles. Does anyone know when these gauges were made, and/or when Sportsways made the move? To complicate things, I guess that Sportsways was in Paramount, CA in 1963 according to "Basic SCUBA". A complete Sportsways timeline would be great for the record.

Also, during what years was Selpac in business?

[luis]

Are you referring about Sherwood Selpac?
I don't know much about their history.
They used to manufacture the tank valves (and other regulator parts) for other companies like Dacor, Healthways, etc. If you look closely at many old valves (in particular Healtways tank valves) you will see a small square with an "SS" in it.
My understanding is that Sherwood Selpac was a large manufacturer of compress gas equipment. At some point they started marketing their own SCUBA gear under the name of Sherwood. Companies like Dacor did not like that and quit buying parts and component from them.
Anyone else that has more knowledge, please jump in and correct or expand on what I just wrote.

[duckbill]

Thanks for the information, Luis. I wish these histories were all down in one place. It would sure help when trying to date gear. It really gets confusing when companies merged, split, changed names and/or locations, manufactured for so-and-so, etc. A flow chart with dates included would almost be necessary to be able see the whole picture.
Thanks again.

[21]

{ duckbill"I have two Sea-Vue SPGs made by Sportsways. One sports a Huntington Park, CA address, whereas the other says Los Angeles. Does anyone know when these gauges were made, and/or when Sportsways made the move? To complicate things, I guess that Sportsways was in Paramount, CA in 1963 according to "Basic SCUBA". A complete Sportsways timeline would be great for the record.}

Sportsways was founded in 1958 by Dick Klien and Sam Lecocq from assets obtained from Dick's Company Healthways. It was developed much along the lines of Scuba pro as a professional line for Healthways.

Sam Lecocq was the cheif engineer, who was known for his great bullit proof products made to last forever.

In 1958 SW was operating out of Healtways in Los Angeles, California

Later moved to Huntingtom Park, California

Last address was in Paramont, California

The SW SPG was designed and produced to be the finest SPG ever sold to the recreational diver. It has the distinction of beig the second SPG on the recreational market, the first of course was by Marmac in 1954.. If the SW SPG is maintained correctly it will last a life time--( I have 3 or 4 that I have used for years with out serious problems.)

FYI:

SAM LECOCQ, THE FOUNDER AND CHEIF ENGINEER OF SPORTSWAYS WILL BE LECTURING ON SPORTSWAYS, THE COMPANY, THE PRODUCTS ETC AT PORTAGE QUARRY IN BOWLING GREEEN OHIO IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SPORTSWAYS I WOULD STRONLY URGE THAT YOU PLAN ON ATTENING THE EVENT.

For information suggest that you check out www.portagequarry.com

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[duckbill]

Thanks Sam. I was wondering where you were. I figured this question would be right up your alley
Any dates for the Huntington Park and Paramount moves?
I'm sure the gauges are very well built, but, frankly, I'm not impressed with the accuracies of mine. One reads 90 psi high, and the other 60 low. Well, what can I expect for 45 year old gauges. Maybe I just lucked out. I don't suppose they can be adjusted(?)
Thanks again.

[duckbill]

I guess I should have mentioned....90 high and 60 low @ 2300 psi.....as though it matters

[Nemrod]

I have a couple of Sea Vue guages, only one still has the rubber boot but they work and look fine. I have both addresses mentioned.

When the J valve is in the dive position they (and all SPGs) move up and down the scale as you inhale, does this harm them you think?

James